The 39th Annual California Strawberry Festival returned to the Ventura County Fairgrounds on May 17 and 18. It offered two full days of endless strawberry delicacies, alongside artisan markets, live music, and family adventures. Entertainment included carnival rides, trays of vine-ripened strawberries, and interactive Strawberryland stations.
Highlights
- Signature strawberry nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, kabobs, popcorn, and margaritas pleased attendees.
- Nearly 150 artists and artisans sold original handmade items amid three stages of live entertainment.
- Family zones featured a “build-your-own” shortcake pavilion and a Strawberryland play area.
Weekend Wrap-up: Festive Atmosphere at the Fairgrounds
Once again this year, the Ventura County Fairgrounds resonated with energy as it attracted thousands each day to taste locally produced strawberries and handmade goodies. Warm May weather and sunny weekends brought fun-seekers looping through food stands and artisan tents all weekend long.
Lines formed early for prominent food booths, and organizers continually supplied fruit and provisions to sustain demand. Midday each day, the festival site continued to bustle with families, friends, and guests attracted by the promise of sweet, vine-ripened strawberries and festive entertainment.
Culinary & Artisan Highlights
The scent of sliced strawberries wafted through the air as chefs and cooks constructed creative berry-inspired dishes. In addition to the food vendors, around 150 local artists and crafters showcased pottery, jewelry, fabric, and other handmade wares for sale. A “build-your-own” strawberry shortcake booth generated excited lines so that guests could assemble their own concoction of freshly made cake, whipped cream, and berries to sample.
Top Strawberry Treats
Festival favorites led with strawberry-topped nachos smothered in sweet toppings and stacked with sliced fresh berries. Chocolate-dipped strawberries made a big comeback, with festival-goers waiting in lines to try expertly coated berries on sticks. Fresh additions like strawberry popcorn and strawberry margaritas with a hint of tequila were sold out late afternoon daily.
Artisan Showcase
The artisan marketplace featured handmade ceramics, sterling jewelry, handmade textiles, and botanical body products, all touched with a local flavor. Many boothholders reported record-weekend sales, attributing strong attendance at the festival and high energy from buyers.
Live Performances, Carnival Rides, and Kid-Centric Activities
Three stages hosted music performances during the weekend, rotating from rock to pop to acoustic shows, attracting crowds to lawn-sized seating areas. Between sets, carnival rides spun multicolored cars and swings, offering adrenaline for both children and adults. Ride tickets were sold at $1 per ride or 24 for $20, resulting in heavy sales of ride passes and less wait times.
Live Music & Performances
On Saturday and Sunday, headliners each drew a few hundred, with local bands filling the evening time slots to enthusiastic applause. Between headline sets, up-and-coming artists took the stage for festivalgoers, maintaining high energy levels all day.
Interactive ‘Strawberryland’ Play Areas And Workshops For Children
Strawberryland’s special zone included craft stations where kids created berry-themed crafts under adult guidance. The carnival-style games and age-appropriate rides covered the space.
Community Impact
Since its inception, the non-profit festival has contributed more than $4.5 million to charities in Southern California, and proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit youth programs and food banks. Every year the festival gives out stipends or grants to non-profit organizations worth $1,27,000. Sales of general admission tickets for $15, military and senior admission tickets for $10, youth tickets for $8, and free admission to children under four benefited the philanthropic mission of the festival.
The 39th California Strawberry Festival served up a weekend to be remembered. Festival volunteers and organizers celebrated a successful turnout and glitch-free operations. Charitable giving and community support were at the center of every moment of the festival.
